PEJ New Media Index: Bloggers Assess Blame in the Gaza Flotilla Fight

The May 31 clash in which Israeli soldiers killed nine people on a Turkish ship carrying supplies to the Gaza Strip triggered a passionate blogosphere response focused largely on who was to blame.
For the week of May 31-June 4, nearly a third (32%) of the news links on blogs were about this latest outbreak of Mideast violence, according to the New Media Index from the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism.

In a debate that reflected the passions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a majority of bloggers expressed outrage over Israel's actions, saying it had improperly attacked a peaceful aid ship in international waters. A vocal minority, however, defended Israel, declaring that the country acted in legitimate self-defense.

Indeed, three out of the five most-viewed news videos on YouTube last week were scenes of the violence aboard the ship, Mavi Marmara, provided by the Israeli Defense Forces in an effort to defend their actions.

About The Pew Charitable Trusts

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and invigorate civic life.

Trust Magazine

Our quarterly news magazine. Every issue features articles on Pew’s work from across the organization.Read current issue ›